Most of us assume we know what chickens look like: they're a reddish-tan color, they have pointy beaks, and their legs are white or yellow. Normally, they look a little something like this.
Obviously there are variations in chicken colors — sometimes they're gray and white, sometimes they're beige, sometimes they're brown — but I bet you didn't know that there's a type of chicken that's completely black.
Now, I know what you're thinking: I've seen a black chicken before. Well, that may be true, but the black chicken you saw probably just had black feathers.
The type of chicken I'm talking about is entirely black: its beak, legs, skin, organs, and even bones are black!
If it sounds crazy, you're right — it is.
This species is called the Ayam Cemani, and it is native to Indonesia. It's totally mesmerizing — I can't take my eyes off of it!
So how does the Ayam Cemani get its unique coloring?
Update: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Ayam Cemani eggs are black — they are actually cream-colored. The gallery has been updated to reflect this update.
[H/T: Bored Panda]
The Ayam Cemani, a completely black species of chicken, has gorgeous coloration.
Its coloring is caused by a condition called fibromelanosis, which is completely harmless to the chicken's health.
Fibromelanosis is a genetic mutation that causes extra melanin to seep into the bird's skin, tissue, and bones.
The process happens while the bird is still an embryo, which means that when the chicks hatch, they are already completely black, even though the eggs are cream-colored.
The rare chickens are black through-and-through, meaning that even their muscles, bones, and internal organs are pitch black!
The extra melanin has an interesting effect on the chickens' feathers: they become almost metallic-looking.
That's just one of the features that makes these birds look unlike any others.
These charcoal-colored birds have been inspiring folklore ever since the 1110s, and it's easy to see why.
The Ayam Cemani are not only considered elite birds, they're also thought of as good luck charms that bring wealth, power, and good fortune.
The Ayam Cemani is so spectacular that it is sometimes called the Lamborghini of chickens.
They're so rare that they cost around $200 per chick — not quite the price of a Lamborghini, but pretty pricey nonetheless.
To compare, 15 everyday chicks typically cost around $85.
But with their gorgeous "gothic" appearance, it's no wonder why this breed fetches such a pretty penny!
What do you think of these unique all-black chickens? Let us know in the comments below!
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